Border crossing improvements announced

Terry Shaw, General Manager, Manitoba Trucking Association, Member of Parliament Candice Bergen, and Don Streuber, President Bison Transport at the announcement of border infrastructure improvements for Emerson, Manitoba on April 2, 2013. (SUPPLIED PHOTO)

Portage-Lisgar MP Candice Bergen was at the Emerson border crossing April 2, to announce $10 million in funding for infrastructure upgrades.

That money represents the value of five hours in two-way trade, based on 2012 statistics. Last year, close to $19 billion in two-way trade took place over that crossing.

“A more efficient Emerson border crossing will facilitate trade and travel, while creating jobs and supporting growth and prosperity in Manitoba,” she said.

“Our government is investing up to $10 million for infrastructure upgrades, including improvements to the Canada Border Services Agency inspection facility, aimed at reducing wait times and alleviating traffic congestion.

The Emerson border crossing is open 24 hours per day, throughout the year, and had more than 300,000 passenger vehicles crossing over in 2012.

The government is giving the new funding through what they call “Economic Action Plan 2013” and Bergen said this project and others create jobs, economic growth and a high quality of life for families.

43,000 projects

In fact, since 2006, Bergen said the federal government has invested in over 43,000 projects to build roads, bridges, commuter rail and other public infrastructure.